Deer Park City Councilwoman Sherry Garrison will give a presentation on the city's founder, Simeon West. Known for a spirit of adventure and a deep interest in spiritualism, which is the belief in communication with the dead through mediums, West filled numerous roles in his life, serving as a developer, state legislator, gold miner and author. "He really was a good man and believed in the Golden Rule," Garrison says. less

Deer Park City Councilwoman Sherry Garrison will give a presentation on the city's founder, Simeon West. Known for a spirit of adventure and a deep interest in spiritualism, which is the belief in communication ... more

Photo: Kirk Sides Houston Chronicle

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The first Deer Park post office was built in 1893, the year Simeon West founded the community.

The first Deer Park post office was built in 1893, the year Simeon West founded the community.

Photo: Library Of Congress

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Spiritualism attracted many followers in the 19th century in addition to Simeon West. Abraham Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, sought comfort after her eldest son's death through seances with spiritualists.

Spiritualism attracted many followers in the 19th century in addition to Simeon West. Abraham Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, sought comfort after her eldest son's death through seances with spiritualists.

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The first Deer Park post office was built in 1893, the year Simeon West founded the community.

The first Deer Park post office was built in 1893, the year Simeon West founded the community.

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Just who was Deer Park founder Simeon West?

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To start the city of Deer Park's yearlong celebration of its 125th anniversary, an introduction is in order.

Namely, Simeon West, referred to as the "father of Deer Park" and somewhat of an enigma, even to local historians.

City Councilwoman Sherry Garrison will host a presentation on West at Jan. 13 at the Deer Park Library in an effort to provide a clearer picture of a multifaceted character.

Garrison, who chairs the city's historical committee, started researching West about five years ago, even traveling to Leroy, Illinois, where his family settled.

"I think one of the most interesting things about him - when we first started learning about him and after going to Leroy - was that he had multiple interests," she said.

Throughout her research, Garrison discovered that West was a developer, philanthropist, farmer, state legislator, gold miner, author of two books and a spiritualist.

West was born in Kentucky in 1827, moving with his family to Illinois in 1851.

He would eventually settle in West Township (named after his father), where he was involved in politics and served in the Illinois state legislature.

But West did not stay in one place for long.

"He traveled throughout the United States, and this was in the 1880s and '90s, all though California, Montana and a lot of different places," Garrison said.

Deer Park, she said, was one of West's adventures.

West came to the Houston area in 1880 and purchased property along Buffalo Bayou. The city of Deer Park was founded in 1893, chosen by West because of its agricultural potential.

"I like to think he saw something in Deer Park," said Doug Burgess, who was director of parks and recreation for Deer Park for 35 years.

West stayed in Deer Park long enough to build a hotel and establish a railroad and eventually donate property to what is now the Houston Ship Channel.

"I know people are focused on Deer Park, but we felt it was important to show all facets of him because that's what made up what he was," Garrison said.

When Garrison and others allude to West's "eccentricities," they are usually referring to his embrace of spiritualism, the belief in communication with the dead through mediums.

"That to me is one of the most interesting things about him," Garrison said.

Garrison points out that in the late 1850s, spiritualism was more commonly accepted.

West was known to have equipped his own home with a séance room and as was said to have faithfully consulted with his personal "spirit guide," referred to as "Pansy."

Garrison, 70, has lived in Deer Park for 45 years.

"I'd always been involved with the community, but I never really knew so much about the history until I was appointed to this (historical) committee," she said. "That kind of started this passion and trying to find everything I can find."

Garrison hopes the Jan. 13 presentation will introduce the rest of Deer Park to its founder.

"I want people to know what a good man founded Deer Park, that is was someone we should be extremely proud of, even with his sometimes eccentric behavior, if you want to call it that," she said.

Deer Park does not have a museum. Garrison credits much of her discoveries to local author Barbara Yeary Weidig, author of two books on Deer Park history.

West was a devoted husband and beloved father of nine children, Garrison said.

According to Garrison, on West's 90th birthday, the town of Leroy held a party, where West dedicated a poem to his wife, Martha.

"He had me then," Garrison said. "All the other things add to it, but he really was a good man and believed the Golden Rule and had a sense of right and wrong and that's how he lived his life."

West traveled to California 18 times, his last trip occurring when he was 80 years old.

The hotel and railroad West established in Deer Park are long gone. Although his stay in Deer Park was not permanent, his impact was significant, Burgess said.

Burgess likes the idea of a restless adventurer settling a community that cherishes its sense of home.

"You go to a grocery store, a football game, soccer game and you see the same people all the time, and that's what I like," he said. "Even though (West) traveled a lot, he seemed to always come back. That happens to a lot of people in Deer Park now.

People go to college or move away and they come back. That has to tell you something."

The presentation on Simeon West will begin at 11 a.m. on Jan. 13 at the library at 3009 Center St. Admission is free. For information, contact the library at 281-478-7208.